www.stjohnsportsmouth.org19 November 2015
Jeremy Filsell opens Exsúltet Organ in concert tomorrow night
 
St. John's is hosting an inaugural organ concert this Friday, November 20, 2015, at 7pm to celebrate with the wider civic community the newly installed Exsúltet Organ made possible by gifts from individuals in our parish community (above and beyond their parish budget giving), Whitesel Church Organs of Harrisonburg, VA, and Viscount Organs of Mondaino, Italy.
 
This custom organ, Whitesel's Opus 1275, takes the helm as Viscount's largest console and hybrid organ in North America. Designed by Christopher Rusk, St. John's Organist and Choirmaster, in consultation with Viscount and Whitesel, it incorporates all 16 ranks of pipes (fully restored to their original condition) from St. John's 1951 Austin Pipe Organ (Opus 2171) as well as over 75 ranks of Viscount's physically modeled organ voices, powered by their internationally patented Physis® Technology.   
 
Jeremy Filsell is acknowledged as one of only a few virtuoso performers on both piano and organ.  He has recorded for BBC Radio 3, USA, and Scandinavian radio networks in solo and concerto roles and his discography comprises more than 30 solo recordings.  Jeremy studied at Oxford University (Keble College) before pursuing graduate studies at the Royal College of Music in London. He was awarded a PhD at Birmingham Conservatoire/BCU for research involving aesthetic and interpretative issues in the music of Marcel Dupré. Before emigrating to the USA in 2008, he held lectureships at the Royal Academy of Music in London and the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester and was a lay clerk in the Queen's choir at St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle. He currently combines an international recital and teaching career with other positions: Director of Music at the Church of the Epiphany in Washington DC, Artist-in-Residence at Washington National Cathedral, and Professor of Organ at the Catholic University of America.
 
Following the concert, St. John's will host a punch, sparkling wine, and cookie reception in Chisholm Hall where you can meet the artist and representatives from Whitesel/Viscount.   Advance thanks to all of you providing home baked cookies for this reception and to Carla Davis and her team for coordinating the reception.
 
Come early for a good seat.  See you tomorrow! 
 
Community Oyster Roast

Though the ticket purchase deadline has passed for participants at St. John's, some tickets will be available for purchase at the door for members of the wider Hampton Roads Community.  These will be sold first come, first served until this very popular event is sold out.

Staying in the Black
 
As of 11/19/2015, pledges to the ministry budget of St. John's Church were $25,555 in arrears.   Please note that our new Exsúltet Organ was gifted entirely by donors; no 2015 program budget funds have been used to purchase this amazing instrument.
 
We need your help.  The Vestry asks for the abundant financial generosity of all at St. John's in these final six weeks of 2015 so that we can continue our historic practice of ending program budgets each year in the black!  Thanks in advance for your passion and commitment to this wonderful parish and its ministry. 

Miscellany
 
Christian Formation for adults and children resumes on Sunday but will not be in session the following week for Thanksgiving break.
 
Chisholm Hall is a Sunday quiet zone.  Construction began this week on the Parish House roof and HVAC ductwork to eliminate the second floor water intrusion in our Christian Formation rooms.  Weather permitting, this work will be completed by Christmas.  In the meantime, the Good Shepherd Atrium (ages 3-6) will be meeting in their relocated atrium in Chisholm Hall.  Chisholm Hall will be closed to adults from 10:10-11:30am each Sunday.  We ask that those arriving for 11am worship walk around the building from the parking lot and enter the worship space through the Washington Street doors.  Disabled adults are asked to pass quickly and quietly through Chisholm Hall during this time.  Thanks so much in advance for your cooperation and assistance!
 
No Healing Eucharist on 11/25.  The Parish Office will be closed 11/25-29 and there will be no Healing Eucharist on the Wednesday night before Thanksgiving.  Have a safe and blessed holiday!
 
This is the last Thursday to join Pilgrims in Christ!  Pilgrims in Christ is a seven-month process that prepares adults (16 and older) to deepen their faith through baptism, confirmation, or reaffirmation of their baptismal vows.  Every Thursday meeting begins at 5:30pm with a small evening prayer service, followed by a short teaching, a free hot meal prepared by Pilgrims alumni and other members of the congregation, in-depth teaching and conversation about Christianity, and small-group Bible study.   Each session ends at 8pm.  In the words of a past participant, "Pilgrims in Christ is amazing because it's learning and relearning aspects of our faith and church, but it is also an opportunity to forge bonds and friendships within the parish and community."   Contact Clifford King Harbin if you have any questions!
 
Pilgrims in Christ Meal Sign-up is now posted in Chisholm Hall.  Please consider providing a simple soup and bread meal for those strengthening their spiritual journey with Christ.  This can be part of your pledge to "support these persons in their life in Christ" as we vowed in our baptismal liturgy.  Team up with a friend, submit your receipts, if necessary, contact Bob McBride, this year's Meal Coordinator if you have any questions.

Annual Women's Retreat is February 20.  St. John's Women's Ministries (AWE) is excited to announce we are returning to the relaxing and welcoming Founders Inn.  The AWE Annual Retreat is scheduled to begin Saturday morning, February 20, 2016.  Two programs are set for Saturday and one on Sunday morning, with free time Saturday evening to enjoy the spa and local dining. Save the weekend and plan to spend both Friday and Saturday nights; or just one, if you prefer. 

Centennial and Bicentennial Celebration  From October 2015 to September 2016, St. John's Church is celebrating the bicentennial of our first rector's birth, the centennial of the construction of Chisholm Hall, and the enduring legacy of this saint's life and witness as a hero of the 1855 Yellow Fever epidemic. 

Fall is the time for visitors to worship. Traditionally, the fall months are when St. John's has the largest number of visitors in worship seeking a new faith community.  Please be especially aware and greet those you do not recognize both during worship and in Chisholm Hall before you greet your friends!
 
St. John's has a blog!  Think of a blog as an online magazine where we will share church events, personal stories, and highlight wonderful things happening behind the scenes  at St. Johns.  Visit the site here and sign up to follow St. John's new blog!  Thanks to Fallon and Matt Graham for their work in bringing this vision to reality!  

Calling all men.  You are invited!  The men will gather again on Tuesday, 11/24 @ 6:30pm in Chisholm Hall.  We hope you can join us!
 
The Magnificent Obsession is the title of the 10am Thursday morning women's Bible study.  With video messages by Anne Graham Lotz, this study explores the life of Abraham as a model for embracing a God-filled life.   Remining dates for the study will be today & 12/5.  For more information contact Patti Devers.   

Join a Small Group.  Small groups at St. John's are called "Scott's Creek," in honor of the first such group that met in a home on the banks of Portsmouth's Scott's Creek.  Small groups are a great way to deepen your faith, build friendships, and become more connected to the St. John's community.  Multiple groups with diverse interests and age groupings are available and we invite you to be a part!  Email the Parish Office to get connected!
 
Wednesday Eucharist is not just for summer!  This worship was especially created for those who were traveling during the weekend so that all could still receive Christ's Body and Blood as strength for the journey.  This 30-minute Eucharist begins at 6:30pm and includes hymns, a brief homily, and healing prayers. Miss on Sunday?  Come on Wednesday.

Want a St. John's name badge?  Are you ready to look outward and be welcoming, greeting those you do not know before you greet your friends and offering hospitality to those you meet?  If your answer is "yes," then complete a name badge request form found in the worship space and Chisholm Hall.  These badges have a magnetic back. (which should be kept away from medical devices and credit/debit cards).
 
The Parishioner Corner of our Website has news you can use.  Here you can access the November 2015 Parish Directory, parish handbook, worship ministry schedules, and read approved minutes of vestry discussions and actions as well parish financial reports.  Need or don't remember the password?  Contact the parish office. 

Content deadline for St. John's eNews is Wednesday at noon before publication.
 
In our Prayers this Week

For the Church
Justin, Archbishop of Canterbury; Michael, the Presiding Bishop; for Holly, our bishop; Derek, our rector; Heidi, Russ, & Amanda, our missionaries; and our parish staff, wardens and vestry
 
For Justice and Peace    
Peace in the Middle East; healing of racial divides in this nation; for Barack, our president; Terry, our governor; Ken, our mayor; for the city of Portsmouth; for Clint Carlson, Erin Elliott, Carolyn Higgins, George Lang, Will Oast, Jessi Staley, Dariana Torres, Shaun Tuttle, and Bill Wolter who are serving our country overseas or away from home; for the Coast Guard Personnel on watch and on patrol from Coast Guard Base Portsmouth
 
For those in any Need or Trouble  
In our Parish: Barbara Bowles; Donald Bowles; Mary Colby; Bill Edwards; Ron Fritz; Al Gregg; Mavia Hudgins; Dody Johnson; Reese Johnson; Dody Mason; Martha Ann Oast; Arlene Peterson; Carol Phipps; Emily Schultz; Anne Barbour Schwab; Barbara Stearns; Al Taylor; Sue Taylor;  Peggy Tuthill; Ruth Waldo; Dave Walker; Sonny Wilkinson;  Joy Young.  

We ask God's Holy Spirit to surround, protect, and move to successful completion the renovation of the second floor Christian Formation rooms.
 
Related to our Parish: Suzanne (community friend of St. John's); Justin (friend of Sister Heather); Ruth (friend of Barrie Harper); Thomas (father of Dody Johnson); Chris (brother-in-law of Marti Austin); Mrs. Dr. Kersey (friend of Ava Park); Chad, Thea, Rusty, & Mandy (friends of Erin Burke); Mike & Betty (friends of Niki Park); David (Janice Cuneo's husband); Cameron (Nancy Johnson's granddaughter); Nancy (Andy Gray's mother); Cameron (Taraleigh Casteen's godson); Steven (friend of the Gregg Family); Scott (Franklin Marzullo's son); Maddie (friend of Doreen Sheler); Patsy (friend of Andrea Graham); Robbie (friend of the congregation); Patients at the Naval Hospital & EDMARC hospice for children
                                                        
Thanksgivings
For tomorrow's Exsúltet Organ opening concert, for Saturday's Community Oyster Roast, and for the parish house roof and ductwork repairs which are underway

Departed
Alice (friend of Beth Meighan); Linda (aunt of Al Gregg); Mary (friend of Julie Waterbury)
Stewardship of God's Resources for the week of 11/15  

Ministry/Worship Attendance: Sunday 8am (18), 9am (66), 11am (98); 
Wednesday 6:30pm (12)

Worship Offering:  $8,640
 
Income needed for ministry expenses each week: $6,977

2015 Pledges in arrears as of 11/19/2015: ($25,555)

This Sunday in Worship
 
Last Sunday after the Epiphany (Christ the King), 11/22: Daniel 7:9-10,13-14 & John 18:33-37
The flowers at the Altar and Founders' Chapel are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of Homer Rush by Martha Rush and Millie Santora Marzullo on the 98th anniversary of her birth by Franklin Marzullo. 

Herman Hollerith, IV, bishop 

J. Derek Harbin, rector

Keith Byers, bookkeeper

Taraleigh Casteen, bandleader

Courtney Devers, staff chef

Bob Gilman, assisting priest

Philip Goodrich, sexton

Ellison Gregg, staff photographer 

Clifford King Harbin, associate to the rector

Rebecca Mina, creation atrium coordinator

Heather Rollins, technology 

Christopher Rusk, organist/choirmaster

Claudia Tomlin, organist emerita

Justin Young, publications

 

Welcome to our Sunday Worship Services

 Contemplative Eucharist, Rite I at 8:00am
 Contemporary Eucharist at 9:00am
 Classic Eucharist, Rite II at 11:00am

Wednesday Healing Eucharist, 6:30pm

Holy Days as Announced

You'll find us at 424 Washington Street, Portsmouth, VA 23704 or by phone at 757.399.4967

Our office hours are 10am - 1pm M-F. We look forward to seeing you!
Like us on Facebook  Follow us on Twitter  Find us on Google+